For the first time, JRC scientists have examined the impact of seafood supply chains across national boundaries.

According to the Joint Research Centre (JRC), global seafood consumption has more than doubled in the past 50 years, putting stress on the sustainability of fishing.

Taking into consideration both food that humans consume and seafood processed for feed production, seafood consumption in EU member states equals 27 kilograms (kg) per head. The highest consumption at EU level is observed in Portugal (61.5 kg per head) while outside the EU, the top consumers are Korea (78.5 kg per head) followed by Norway (66.6 kg per head). The global per head consumption is estimated at 22.3 kg.

As demand for seafood rises, the sustainability of fish stock becomes an ever more pressing issue. Therefore, JRC scientists use a new methodology to examine the impact of seafood supply chains across national boundaries. The model explores the interactions between capture fisheries and aquaculture, fish meal and trade at the global level, and accounts for trade flows and interdependencies between different countries along the international supply chain, linking the extraction of raw materials, inter-industry flow, trade and final consumption.

Results from the model can provide policy-makers and consumers with information on the extent of reliance on producer nations for their seafood supplies. They can support the assessment on whether seafood sources are exploited in accordance with the applicable or desired sustainability standards and objectives. This information can help encourage international collaboration and promote policies to ensure long-term sustainability of all seafood production.

For the first time, JRC scientists have examined the impact of seafood supply chains across national boundaries.

According to the Joint Research Centre (JRC), global seafood consumption has more than doubled in the past 50 years, putting stress on the sustainability of fishing.

Taking into consideration both food that humans consume and seafood processed for feed production, seafood consumption in EU member states equals 27 kilograms (kg) per head. The highest consumption at EU level is observed in Portugal (61.5 kg per head) while outside the EU, the top consumers are Korea (78.5 kg per head) followed by Norway (66.6 kg per head). The global per head consumption is estimated at 22.3 kg.

As demand for seafood rises, the sustainability of fish stock becomes an ever more pressing issue. Therefore, JRC scientists use a new methodology to examine the impact of seafood supply chains across national boundaries. The model explores the interactions between capture fisheries and aquaculture, fish meal and trade at the global level, and accounts for trade flows and interdependencies between different countries along the international supply chain, linking the extraction of raw materials, inter-industry flow, trade and final consumption.

Results from the model can provide policy-makers and consumers with information on the extent of reliance on producer nations for their seafood supplies. They can support the assessment on whether seafood sources are exploited in accordance with the applicable or desired sustainability standards and objectives. This information can help encourage international collaboration and promote policies to ensure long-term sustainability of all seafood production.